Subjective Benefit of Cochlear Implantation for Different Degrees of Hearing Asymmetry

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the objective and subjective benefit of cochlear implantation in patients with different degrees of asymmetric hearing loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study included 83 cochlear implant (CI) recipients, of whom 81 completed at least twelve months postoperative rehabilitation at our CI center. We applied uni- and bilateral speech tests in quiet and in noise together with the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The preoperative hearing loss of the ear that received the CI ranged from moderate to severe. Preoperative best-aided scores in quiet ranged from 0 to 100% while preoperative ipsilateral scores were between 0 and 60% for monosyllables in quiet. Postoperatively, we found improvements for all measures. Unilateral 'speech in quiet' scores for monosyllables were improved by at least 20 percentage points in 88% of the cases, and no clinically significant decrement was found. APHAB scores improved the most for the ease of communication subscale while no further decrement in the 'aversiveness' subscale was found for the comparison of the preoperative aided condition to the postoperative condition. CONCLUSION: CI provision is a realistic treatment option in patients with hearing losses if aided speech recognition is insufficient, even in cases of only moderate or moderately severe hearing loss. APHAB is a feasible tool to assess patient reported outcome measures in these patients. Studies reporting APHAB scores should include detailed audiological data in order to allow comparisons across different studies and patient populations.